HONG KONG – Hong Kong's customs authorities announced Wednesday that it had seized about 225,000 suspected smuggled electronic chips, with an estimated market value of about HK$6.25 million ($790,000).

The chips were detected on Tuesday in an outgoing cross-boundary private car at the Shenzhen Bay Control Point, according to the customs authorities.

After an investigation, Hong Kong's customs authorities arrested a 39-year-old local male driver and a 50-year-old Chinese mainland male passenger, both of whom were suspected of being connected with the case.

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The two men were jointly charged with one count of attempting to export unmanifested cargo.

Smuggling is a serious offense in Hong Kong. Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of HK$2 million and imprisonment for seven years.